Student computer labs

CDU maintains both general purpose and specialised computer-based teaching laboratories across all campuses, and also smaller labs at our regional centres and remote teaching sites. These labs are used for both scheduled teaching, and general drop-in access by students. The lab software environments are based on Microsoft Windows 10, and Microsoft Office 2016. They also include many other software titles depending on the purpose and usage of the lab.

Content and configuration of the computer labs is reviewed twice yearly, in the lead-up to Semester 1, and during the break before Semester 2. At these times the Office of Information Technology Management & Support (ITMS) formally invites lab users to submit their requirements for teaching in the labs. ITMS then assesses, tests, refines, and re-tests the new or changed software, before deploying it to the lab or labs required.

Casuarina

Casuarina campus has seven general PC labs, accessible from 7am to 9pm, seven days a week. Outside of business hours, students can gain access to labs with their student card (used as a swipe-card).

Labs are located on Level 3, Orange 1. The Library also maintains the ‘Learning Precinct’, a large open computing area that students may use during Library hours. There are also individual specialised labs within some Faculties. The opening hours for these vary - check with the relevant faculty for times. Casuarina campus map (PDF 1MB)

Palmerston

Palmerston campus has three general PC labs, two in Building A and one in Building C. Operating hours at Palmerston campus labs are determined by FAS Palmerston, phone 8946 7800. The Palmerston Campus Library also maintains an open computing area that students may use during Library hours. Palmerston campus map PDF 446KB)

To book these labs, please contact the Exams, Graduation and Timetabling section of Student Services. If attendees do not have CDU computer accounts, ITMS will need to be approached in advance, so that temporary computer accounts can be created to facilitate their access.

Please note: When a computer lab is booked, it is essential that the lab is checked well in advance to ensure any software required is installed on the computers and is working as required prior to the booking.

During semesters each computer lab is checked weekly to ensure all equipment is operating correctly.

Should a student or staff member notice a problem with either the computers or any audio-visual equipment please report these to ITMS so that they can be fixed. Either call the ITMS Service Desk from a Lab telephone (during office hours) on 8946 6600 or, log a job using LogIT.

If you require changes to the current software content of the teaching labs, we need you to advise us. The most effective way to do this is by detailing your requirements in logit.

NB. This has to be done a minimum of two weeks before the software is required to be used.

Your request should contain these minimum details:

lab location - room number, campus, and common name or general description of lab

requester - contact details for the requester and an alternate nominee who can also test the software

software requirement - title of the software, publisher / vendor of the software and version of the software.

In preparation for the coming teaching year, all requests, software media, and appropriate licensing should be sent to ITMS no later than the second week of December. We cannot guarantee meeting your needs if we receive requests after this date. Ad-hoc requests during semester cause inconvenience, instability and unreliability. Please consider your requirements ahead of time to ensure that we can meet them.

Procedure for software installation or changes

In order to ensure a stable and reliable operating environment for our students, a procedure is in place to accommodate software installation or changes to existing software. This procedure allows adequate time for testing, modification, and implementation. Making changes to lab computers is a time consuming process, involving the following:

receiving software and adequate proof of licensing from requester

installation of operating system (where required) and previous software to a sample PC for each lab concerned

compatibility testing of all software by ITMS within the student computing environment

application of security measures and subsequent re-testing of software

Please contact ITMS a minimum of two weeks before the lab is to be used for that purpose. This allows for the software to be tested to ensure it is working correctly and compatible with the existing software before being installed. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the inability for ITMS to have the computer lab ready when required.